Day One of the Convention was exciting and chock-full of official business, beginning with a First-Time Delegate breakfast at 8:00 am.
New delegates took advantage of the opportunity to mingle with BCTGM International Staff and other members of the Union before proceeding to the Grand Ballroom for the first day of Convention proceedings.
Temporary Convention Chair/General Executive Board Member Doyle Townson opened the Convention promptly at 10:00am, and called for the singing of the U.S. and Canadian National Anthems by Brittanie Potter of Union Privilege.
Townson then presented the gavel used by President Anthony Shelton’s father, Local 25 Business Agent/Former GEB Member Walter Shelton, and turned the Convention over to President Shelton. Shelton then called on Retired Southern Region Vice President James Rivers to deliver the invocation.
President Shelton spent some time warmly welcoming the delegates, acknowledging BCTGM Officers and International Staff members and cutting up with the crowd before playing the Opening Video presenting the theme and history of the union.
International Vice President Zach Townsend then delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of Southern Region.
Keynote Address
President Shelton delivered his Keynote Address, drawing from the past to find similarities in the challenges before today’s workers. He urged to delegation that “it’s time to get a little crazy,” pointing to the Strikes of 2021 as an example. “Don’t send me a strike request unless you’re ready to go on strike,” he joked, adding he’s got no problem authorizing a strike.
Passed: Resolution #23
Referencing plans to conduct elections on the second day, the Convention passed Resolution #23 Article IV, Section 3, which eliminated the requirement that nominations and elections be held on any specific day of the Convention.
History Project Series Introduced
A History Project Series was introduced, before rolling a video about the Founding of the Journeyman Bakers, which later became known as the Bakery and Confectionary Workers International Union (B&C).
After the video, David Menefee of Local 111 (Dallas, Texas) and Diane Carroll and Sharon Sheetz of BCTGM Local 464 (Hershey, Pa.) told stories from the history of the baking and confectionery industries.
David Woods Addresses Delegates
President Shelton called on International Secretary-Treasurer David Woods to give an address. Woods pointed to General Executive Board Members Paul LaBuda and Doyle Townsend as members who attended a convention at the Diplomat Beach Resort 44 years ago, before asking first-time delegates to please stand. Woods suggested many of them will be leading this union one day and urged them to stay active and represent their members well.
Woods also acknowledged Headquarters Staff who have been building the membership portal at the International Office, talked about the importance of worksite visits, affiliating with larger labor organizations and looking for the Union Label. He promoted the BCTGM Disaster Relief Fund and asked Local Unions to contribute if possible.
Standing Committee Delivers Initial Report
Standing Committee then delivered their Initial Report, read the Rules & Order of Business, Committee Assignments and audit report to the delegates before making a motion to recommend all reports be adopted.
Joe Thibodeau Tribute, Recognition of Long-Term Service
President Shelton introduced a video tribute to Former Executive Vice President Joe Thibodeau, who passed away on July 16, 2025. After the touching tribute, Shelton praised Thibodeau’s 48 years working with this Union, and segued into recognizing those members in the room with 30, 40 and 50 years of service.
He presented a 50-Year Certificate and Gold Card to Local 25 Business Agent Tommy Kelly and Retired Southern Region Vice President James Rivers.
AFL-CIO Convention Recap
Shelton then gave a recap of the 2026 AFL-CIO Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. in early June of this year, recognizing the work of BCTGM Local 22 (Minneapolis, Minn.) at the event. As he spoke, a slideshow rolled showing the BCTGM delegation at the Convention and BCTGM Local 22 members cake decorating during the Expo portion of the Convention. Shelton then asked the Local 22 delegates to stand for a round of applause.
Liz Shuler Addresses the Delegates
Shelton called AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to the stage to speak to address the delegates, boasting that one day she will be in history books as the first female to serve in the top office of the Federation.
In her speech, Shuler recognized the importance of BCTGM jobs in the food, tobacco and grain milling industries. She addressed income inequality, corporate greed and the importance of Organizing.
Addressing the threat of A.I. on the way we work, she told the crowd, “We’re not anti-technology. We’re not anti-innovation. What we are … is anti-GREED.”
Shuler wrapped her address by urging delegates not to be afraid of the fight. “EVERYTHING we’ve won as working people in this country … we won because we fought for it,” she said.
Canadian Delegates Attend Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Convention
Shelton recognized Canadian delegates George Leaman of Local 406 (Moncton, N.B.), Pierre Luc Doucet of Local 261T (Quebec City, Quebec), and Ian Matiation and Amroise Sarrasin of Local 389 (Winnipeg, Ontario) for their involvement in the CLC Convention in April of this year. A video from the Convention was played, and the Conventionm convened until tomorrow.
Panoramic Convention Photo
Following the proceedings, the official panoramic convention photo was taken of the entire delegation and guests. The full resolution photo will be posted online by tomorrow afternoon as a free download (low resolution rendering shown here). Feel free to post on your websites, social media, or have printed in a shop of your choice to hang in your local union offices!
